Course summary

This course will prepare you for an interesting and fulfilling career in orthoptics, specialising in the diagnosis and management of a range of eye conditions. It’s approved by the Health and Care Professions Council. Become a specialist at diagnosing, managing and treating eye movement disorders and visual impairments. A degree in orthoptics from the University of Sheffield can take you in so many directions in healthcare – from an NHS hospital or community eye clinic to a rehabilitation centre for patients with neurological conditions. This orthoptics programme is designed to give you a deep understanding of the human eye and different eye conditions. We’ll lay the groundwork, introducing you to the basic anatomy and physiology of the human eye, before going on to explore topics such as ocular misalignment (strabismus), eye movement disorders, ocular diseases and medical microbiology. You’ll also learn how the NHS works, and explore topics such as medical ethics and law. You’ll go on to work with patients and clinicians in specialist departments throughout the UK, developing the skills you need to flourish in a multidisciplinary eye care team. Why study this course?

• Hands-on clinical experience - placements in orthoptic departments across the UK and Ireland give you valuable personal and professional experience. Over the three-year course you’ll spend 32 weeks on placement, learning from the experts and spending vital time with patients with a range of eye disorders.

• Delve into research - in your final year, you’ll put everything you’ve learned into practice with a research project or literature review on a topic that interests you. You might have the opportunity to present your findings at a conference or have your work published in a medical journal.

• £6,000+ annual NHS training grant - annual NHS grants are available for all eligible UK home students to help you with your studies, as well as funding to cover the cost of placements.